Bi-directional airbag cushion wrappers and related airbag assemblies and methods

Abstract

Airbag cushion wrapper and related airbag assemblies, along with related assembly/manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion and an inflator comprising an inflator wire. A wrapper may extend about the airbag cushion, which wrapper may comprise a first section wrapped about the airbag cushion in a first direction and a second section coupled with the first section, the second section being wrapped about the airbag cushion in a second direction opposite the first direction and such that the first section extends at least partially within the second section.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An airbag cushion assembly, comprising:
 an airbag cushion; 
 an inflator comprising an inflator wire extending therefrom; and
 a wrapper extending about the airbag cushion, wherein the wrapper comprises:
 a first section wrapped about the airbag cushion in a first direction; and 
 a second section coupled with the first section, the second section wrapped about the airbag cushion in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the first section extends at least partially within the second section, wherein at least a portion of the inflator wire extends between respective layers defined by the first section and the second section, and wherein the first section and the second section are wrapped about the airbag cushion without slack. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper is coupled to at least a portion of an inflator assembly comprising the inflator. 
     
     
       3. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the inflator or an initiator coupled with the inflator extends through an opening formed in the wrapper. 
     
     
       4. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein opposing ends of the first section of the wrapper are coupled together. 
     
     
       5. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 4 , wherein opposing ends of the second section of the wrapper are coupled together. 
     
     
       6. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the airbag cushion assembly comprises a side impact airbag cushion assembly. 
     
     
       7. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the airbag cushion is in a compressed configuration defining an elongated axis, and wherein the wrapper extends about the airbag cushion in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis. 
     
     
       8. An airbag cushion assembly, comprising:
 an airbag cushion in a compressed configuration defining an elongated axis; 
 an inflator comprising an inflator wire; 
 a first wrapper portion wrapped about a full perimeter of the airbag cushion without slack in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis; and 
 a second wrapper portion coupled to the first wrapper portion and wrapped about a full perimeter of the airbag cushion without slack in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis,
 wherein the first wrapper portion is at least partially layered with respect to the second wrapper portion about the airbag cushion, and 
 wherein at least a portion of the inflator wire extends between respective layers defined by the first wrapper portion and the second wrapper portion. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first wrapper portion and the second wrapper portion are integral portions of a single wrapper. 
     
     
       10. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first wrapper portion forms a first loop about the airbag cushion, and wherein the second wrapper portion forms a second loop about the airbag cushion. 
     
     
       11. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first wrapper portion and the second wrapper portion comprises a window, and wherein at least a portion of the inflator wire is visible through the window. 
     
     
       12. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second wrapper portion has a width greater than a width of the first wrapper portion, the widths of the first and second wrapper portions being defined in a direction perpendicular to the directions to which the first wrapper portion and the second wrapper portion extend about the airbag cushion. 
     
     
       13. The airbag cushion assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of a first end of the first wrapper portion, a second end of the first wrapper portion, a first end of the second wrapper portion, and a second end of the second wrapper portion is coupled together at a common coupling region. 
     
     
       14. A method for assembly of an airbag cushion assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 coupling a wrapper to at least a portion of an airbag cushion assembly comprising an airbag cushion adjacent to a first end of the wrapper; 
 extending a first portion of the wrapper about the airbag cushion in a first direction to define a first wrapper layer mounted between the first end and a central portion of the wrapper; 
 extending a second portion of the wrapper about the airbag cushion in a second direction mounted between the central portion and a second end of the wrapper opposite the first end, the second direction being at least substantially opposite the first direction, to define a second wrapper layer; and 
 extending an inflator wire in between the first layer and the second layer. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling a wrapper to at least a portion of the airbag cushion assembly comprises extending an inflator stud through a first opening formed adjacent to the first end of the wrapper. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling a wrapper to at least a portion of the airbag cushion assembly further comprises extending at least a portion of the inflator through a second opening formed adjacent to the first end of the wrapper, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising coupling the second end of the wrapper opposite the first end to at least a portion of the airbag cushion assembly. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising compressing the airbag cushion into a configuration defining an elongated axis. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step extending a first portion of the wrapper about the airbag cushion in a first direction to define a first wrapper layer comprises extending the first portion about the airbag cushion in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis.